Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

The Zelator Grade 101
number: Hierophant, Hiereus, Hegemon, Keryx, Stolistes, and Dadouchos. (The
station of the Phylax remains outside the Hall.) During the initial part of the ceremony,
the stations of these six officers form a triangle, the emblem of Supernal
revelation and the symbol of magical evocation. The three lesser officers compose
the base, Hiereus and Hegemon (representatives of the opposing Light and Darkness)
are beside the altar, and the Hierophant, who personifies the higher powers,
is situated at the apex. This triangle, apex upwards, is also a triangle of Fire, which
points out a curious relationship that exists between the letters Yod (Fire) and Heh
Final (Earth) of Tetragrammaton. (Keep in mind that the group of Angels assigned
to Malkuth is known as the Ashim, or the "Souls of Fire." The Admission Badge of
this grade, the Fylfot Cross or Swastika, is another key to the puzzle, because it is
formed from seventeen squares out of a square of twenty-five lesser squares.
Twenty-five is also the number of squares attributed to the Qamea of Mars.) Thus
initiation into the Earthy Zelator grade and the sphere of Malkuth indicates that a
certain amount of Fire energy is also involved. Since advancement through the
Elemental grades symbolizes an Alchemical process of examination and dissolution
within the aspirant, it is no surprise that we find a fiery undercurrent infiltrating
this initial step onto the Tree of Life.
In the next portion of the ceremony the candidate is then allowed to enter
the sanctuary, where s/he symbolically treads the path of a Priest of the Hebrew
mysteries. The symbolism of the ancient Tabernacle in the Wilderness, the first
physical Qabalistic temple in Malkuth, is gradually revealed to the aspirant. This
and other symbolism relating to the Earth grade are disclosed until finally the
Earth powers are released.
During this segment in the ritual, the stations of the officers form a cross.
The shaft of the cross is created by the three primary officer / godforms in alignment
with the altar, while the stations of Stolistes and Dadouchos compose the
crossbar. This cross formation stresses the four Elements as a balanced "whole"
within the manifest universe, as well as the four sub-Elements of Malkuth. It also
implies the need for the balance of psychic Elements within the candidate as well.
(Note that the cross surrounded by a circle is the symbol of Malkuth.) The fact that
the cross here is composed of five officers (not four or six) alludes to the pentagram,
the number of man-the microcosm, and the initiate. But it also refers to the
fifth Element of Spirit which surmounts and guides the other four.
Godfonns of the Outer Order Grades
Unlike the Neophyte grade, the specific godforms to be employed in the remaining
Outer Order grades are not setandcarved in stone. In the Hermetic community there
are differing opinions as to which godforms are present in the Elemental grades. For
the purposes of thiscourse, we have chosen to use the godforms first introduced in
the Neophyte grade: Hierophant =Osiris, Hiereus =Horus, Hegemon =Thme, etc.
The Zelator initiation ceremony introduces three important Archangelic
forms to the candidate. They can be visualized during the ritual using the following
descriptions.